POLICE are hunting a team of audacious burglars who walk in through people's front doors and help themselves.

They have struck four times in less than a week in Church.

The latest raid took place last night between 10.30pm and 3.30am in Riding Barn Street when sneak thieves got away with a wallet, mobile phone, cigarette lighter, cash and personal items.

PC Jane Lawrenson, of Accrington police's new burglary unit, said: "They just walked in through an insecure front door.

"It appears these people are working the Dill Hall area in Church, walking up and down the street, trying front doors -- and getting lucky."

She urged local residents: "Always make sure you lock up at night."

The burglars also struck on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights in Dill Hall Lane, Elmfield Street and Warwick Street.

They escaped with cash, bottles of spirits and mobile phones.

PC Lawrenson said that they were particularly looking for a white male, aged about 16, with dark hair and wearing a light-coloured jacket following the raid in Dill Hall Lane.

Accrington police recently set up a special burglary unit to target thieves after a spate of break-ins throughout Hyndburn. It will operate until the end of May.

The unit is headed by Sgt Paul Broxson, who is working with PCs Lawrenson, Dan Foster, Scott Waddington and Mark Winstanley.

PC Lawrenson urged the public to get in touch with any of them on 01254 382141 if they had information on the break-ins or if they needed advice on making their homes more secure.